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Notes from the Manager

Not to keep plugging my MFA thesis project, but there’s a fantastic quote from Joseph N. Weber, president of the American Federation of Musicians in 1928, while discussing the emerging sound film technology. “We want it understood that we are not opposing scientific progress. Argument is scarcely required to establish that canned music—however, perfect the reproduction—cannot approach the genuine article. Music is dependent for its quality upon the mood of the artist. The public will not be allowed to realize this. What we fear is that this form of entertainment will be patronized as a novelty and thus will gradually transplant real music in theatres.… If someone will justly supply a robot to operate the projection machine, these owners will install coin turnstiles at their theatre doors, and let their queer museums work while they sleep.” (emphasis added)